Chapter 277: Chapter 277: Kidnapped (Again)

Mom crumpled a little, but I refused to let the news affect me.

"How?" But I knew already, before Galleytrot said it out loud.

"The same way the Chosen masked his magic before." A soft whine of complaint escaped my friend. "I'm sorry, Syd."

It wasn't his fault and I wasn't about to let him think it was. "We'll find him," I said with far more conviction than I felt.

Mom visibly took a firm grasp on herself, her body vibrating with the effort it took. "Yes," she said. "We will."

Sunny had backed away, so much sadness in her face I knew I was losing her. "I'll leave the family to handle this," she said

I reached for her the same instant Mom did.

"Sunny," she pulled the undead woman toward her, embracing her, "please forgive me. There has been so much loss and I am weaker than I expected." Mom pulled away and met my gaze. "I've always thought I could handle anything. I've been proven wrong."